Day Eight
Tuesday September 18th 2012
Patterdale to Carlisle
Mileage today - 54
Total mileage so far - 550
Those who know this part of the world will know that going from Patterdale to Carlisle doesn't constitute much progress northwards. It was planned this way though so that Joanna could join me at my Carlisle b&b before I head off into the land of the brave. I still got 54 miles of superb cycling in though in one of my favourite cycling areas. Leaving the Youth Hostel at 8-30 I rode along the shore of Ullswater to Pooley Bridge. It was a gloriously sunny morning, giving stunning views across the lake and into the mountains. By heck, it was cold though! So cold I texted Joanna to bring me some gloves! I may need them north of the border! Shortly after passing Dalemain House I headed northwards, crossing the busy A66 and into the perfect cycling country to the east and north of Blencathra. This is big sky country, with long views and deserted roads rolling across the countryside - absolutely beautiful on a cool, crisp sunny day like this. At Caldbeck, John Peel country, I pointed the bike eastwards and, with a good tailwind, I was on the outskirts of Carlisle just before two. A quick look at Carlisle racecourse (yes, another racecource), and a recce of the local pub for later (I had to have a quick pint to put the fluids back!), and I arrived at the B&B just after Joanna had got there.
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